4 Facts About Home Water Damage that Will Keep you Up at Night

Thousands of homes across Michigan are affected by flooding. Weather-related disasters and leaking pipes or water lines wreak havoc on our houses, costing thousands of dollars in mitigation and repair.(Photo: Modernistic)

Every year, thousands of homes across Michigan are affected by flooding. Burst pipes, ice dams, melting snow, and other weather-related disasters wreak havoc on our houses, costing thousands of dollars in mitigation and repair. Here are 4 things to be wary of when it comes to water damage:

1. Mold can begin growing in as little as 24 hours!

Potentially dangerous mold needs three things to start growing: oxygen, moisture and organic material. In an untreated area with these factors, mold can visibly form very quickly. While not all mold strains are toxic, there are several types that are dangerous to your health; you definitely don’t want Aspergillus or Stachybotrys (Black Mold) growing in your home!

2. Even the smallest crack in a pipe can spill 250 gallons of water a day!

An eighth of an inch may not sound massive, but a crack that size in a water supply pipe can rack up massive repair bills in a hurry. As much as 250 gallons can leak out in a day’s time! Not fun to deal with!

3. Floodwater can be electrically charged – and deadly!

Even a few inches of water can reach outlets, baseboard heaters, power cords and other devices connected to your electrical system. As soon as you see unwanted water, try to turn off the electricity to the affected area. If you are unable to do so safely, or the fuse box is located in the affected area, contact your electric utility and have them disconnect the power to your home from their end.

4. Even fresh water can turn into a biohazard over time!

Water damage comes in three categories – clean, gray and black:

• Clean water has no contamination. It can come from clean water sources, such as water supply lines, tub overflows or fresh rainwater.

• Grey water has contaminants that are not considered pathogenic. These contaminants still have a chance to cause illness or discomfort. Washing machine overflows, aquarium water and washing machine leaks are all examples of grey water flooding.

• Black water has pathogenic contamination and is unsanitary. Sewage, chemical waste, and any water sitting for more than 72 hours are all considered black water situations. If left alone, clean water will turn into a pathogenic biohazard in only a few days.

With this info, you should be able to avoid these common pitfalls of home flooding. If a water removal job is too daunting to DIY, it never hurts to call an expert!

This story is provided and presented by our sponsor Modernistic

Members of the editorial and news staff of the USA Today Network were not involved in the creation of this content.